Pediatrics · Medellín

Science that cares, warmth that walks with you

Pediatric care to American Board of Pediatrics standards, in Medellín.

Dr. María Camila Echavarría standing in her office, wearing a white coat and stethoscopeDr. María Camila EchavarríaPediatrician · Medellín
  • American Board of Pediatrics
  • Pediatrician, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
  • Sleep & breastfeeding
  • Spanish & English
WhatsAppDoctoraliaCall 311 749 7047

Remember: if it’s urgent and you have my phone number, you can call me.

If it’s an emergency, go to the nearest emergency room.

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Guide for international families

By Dr. María Camila Echavarría · Reviewed on

Welcome to Medellín

Moving with children means finding a pediatrician you can talk to easily, in your own language. I'm Dr. María Camila Echavarría, a pediatrician trained at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami and certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. I see children from before birth to age 18, fully in English or Spanish, at my practice in El Poblado.

This guide answers the questions families ask me most when they arrive: how pediatric care works here, vaccines, emergencies, everyday health in the city, and how to prepare for your first visit. It is general information and does not replace a medical consultation.

How pediatric care works in Colombia

You can see a private pediatrician from day one, paying per visit, while you sort out insurance. Most foreign families end up combining two or three of these options:

Option Who can use it What to know
Private pay Anyone, including tourists You pay each visit directly. My practice works this way, with no referral needed.
International insurance Anyone with a policy from home or an expat plan Often reimburses private visits; I provide the invoices you need; ask your insurer if it requires anything else.
EPS (public-contributory system) Residents with a visa and a cédula de extranjería Monthly contribution based on income; children of the contributor can usually be added as beneficiaries. Not available on a tourist stamp.
Medicina prepagada (private plans) People already affiliated with an EPS A private layer on top of the EPS: faster access to specialists and private clinics.

While your visa and cédula are processed, keep travel or international insurance for emergencies; EPS affiliation only becomes possible once you have your cédula (Rio Times, Colombia Move).

Vaccines

Your child's vaccines from home count here: bring the records and I will match them to the Colombian schedule and plan any catch-up doses. The Colombian program (PAI) covers the same core vaccines as the US and Europe, with a few differences families notice:

  • BCG (tuberculosis) is given to newborns in Colombia, which is not routine in the US.
  • Yellow fever is part of the routine schedule at 18 months.
  • Hepatitis A and varicella are routine, as in the US, but the ages and number of doses can differ.
  • Seasonal flu is offered to young children and during pregnancy.

Schools and daycares in Colombia usually ask for an up-to-date vaccination card, so bring your records, translated or not, to your first visit (Children's vaccine schedule, Sociedad Colombiana de Pediatría).

Emergencies

In an emergency, call 123, Colombia's single number for ambulance, police and fire (Alcaldía de Medellín), or go straight to a pediatric emergency room. Save the address of the nearest one before you need it.

Hospital Pediatric ER Address Phone
Clínica El Rosario, Sede El Tesoro Emergency room closest to El Poblado Carrera 20 # 2 Sur-185, El Poblado (604) 326 9299
Clínica Las Américas 24 hours, children and adults Diagonal 75B # 2A-80, Torre 4 (604) 342 1010
Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe Pediatric ER Calle 78B # 69-240, Robledo (604) 360 4788

Go to the ER or call 123 if your child has trouble breathing or a seizure, is unusually sleepy or hard to wake, or shows signs of dehydration. A baby younger than 3 months with a temperature of 38.0 °C (100.4 °F) or higher needs to be seen right away (AAP, HealthyChildren.org). For anything urgent but not an emergency, message me on WhatsApp or call me.

Everyday health in Medellín

Medellín is an easy city for children's health; five local details are worth knowing:

Topic What to know What to do
Tap water The city's utility, EPM, states its tap water is safe to drink, with a 2024 quality index well within the legal limit (EPM). Tap water is fine for drinking; for infant formula, follow your usual preparation guidance.
Mosquitoes and dengue Colombia passed 50,000 dengue cases in 2026, spread by the Aedes mosquito (El Tiempo). Empty standing water at home, use repellent and nets when traveling to warmer areas, and consult if fever comes with body aches, rash or belly pain. There is also a vaccine available; we will talk about it at your well-child visits.
Air quality Pollution rises from February to April and in October and November (Alcaldía de Medellín). Check SIATA on those days and limit outdoor exercise for children with asthma.
Sun Being close to the equator means strong sun all year, even on cloudy days. Use sunscreen for long periods outdoors. For short stretches, a hat and shade also work.
Pharmacies Many medicines are sold over the counter, including some that need a prescription elsewhere. Avoid giving antibiotics or other medicines without a medical evaluation; ask me if in doubt.

Your first visit

Book by WhatsApp at +57 311 749 7047 or on Doctoralia; the whole visit can be in English. To make the most of it, bring:

  • Vaccination records from home (paper or digital, any language)
  • Growth records and recent check-up notes, if you have them
  • A list of current medicines, allergies and past illnesses or surgeries
  • Your insurance details, if you plan to request reimbursement
  • Your questions, written down: sleep, feeding, school, anything

My practice is at CC Oviedo, Suite 196, in El Poblado.

Sources

Consulted on October 4, 2026: